Safran Forms Labinal Power for Electric Aircraft

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Safran has combined its aircraft electrical power systems operations into one business with the formation of Labinal Power Systems, the French partner of the world's biggest producer of engines for single-aisle aircraft said Monday, Jan. 6.

Labinal includes Safran Power, which specializes in onboard power systems and Aerosource, a provider of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services for airborne electrical systems. Safran Engineering Services is also under the newly formed Labinal, which will be lead by CEO Alain Sauret.

The French manufacturer is looking to capture a trend it believes is emerging in the commercial aviation market towards more electrical systems in place of hydraulic or pneumatic power for aircraft. In 2012 Safran purchased Goodrich Electrical Power Systems as its first move into aircraft electrical power systems.

Another recent sign of what Safran calls an "inevitable trend" towards more electric powered aircraft occurred when the company signed an agreement with Airbus to develop an electric taxiing system for the A320.

Marc Ventre, deputy CEO of operations at Safran, called the consolidation a "major step forward." Labinal Power Systems has 12,000 employees at 45 different offices and facilities worldwide.

"It perfectly reflects our development strategy, anchored in technological differentiation. Safran is now capable of offering complete, world-class electrical power systems for aircraft. We have in our portfolio most major technology bricks relevant to aircraft electrical generation and distribution," said Ventre.